Waterproof pouch or beach safe

I bought a dry bag for kayaking that came with a waterproof pouch that has three closures/seal and folds.
Similar to this on Amazon https://a.co/d/00yFwkAq or this other one https://a.co/d/0difjyDH .

Hi, thanks for your response. I am always concerned that those will leak if fully submerged. I have one similar to that (although the one in your link has more seals).

I think I was in water quick with it and it kept dry. I dove couple of times.
Maybe order one and test at home in bathtub.

I found the item I got but back in 2018! Maybe others better by now. The sleeve for phone was awful but belt pouch was good.
https://a.co/d/057BEw1g Good luck!

Thank you. Appreciate you taking the time to post the links.

I must add that I was paranoid first time I used it so I had my phone, passport and a credit card in a ziploc, then placed it inside the waterproof pouch. I went from a boat to a canoe and into a cave and then swam. If I recall, I had it crossbody and it sort of wanted to float. I wasn't jumping waves but on a calm small lagoon.

Hopefully someone else can give you more ideas to consider.

There are waterproof cellphone cases, basically a plastic "bag" larger than a cell phone, with a waterproof seal. You can get them large enough to hold a phone, passport, and some cash, like this: https://case-mate.com/products/pelican-marine-waterproof-floating-pouch-black-neon-yellow

Otherwise, I often do bring a "dry-bag", probably a 4 liter size, that works for hauling things, can double as a dirty clothes bag or for wet items, or if you can find ice, a cooler.

I don't swim with the dry bag, usually I can hide it enough, or my wife is nearby. Other than the highly crowded urban beaches, we always felt our items were pretty safe, and our experience is that people (complete strangers usually) watch out for each other, we even have had people ask if we would mind keeping an eye out for them.

I have a waterproof hip pack which I prefer to the drybags that have a lanyard because you can’t swim with something around your neck. I still put my phone inside a ziploc bag within the bag. The one I have is no longer made.

You want to make sure that whatever you buy is submersible. Here is one that REI carries that looks like it might be a good option. However it is only submersible for 30 minutes.

https://www.rei.com/product/232738/nite-ize-runoff-waterproof-hip-pack

The one that Paul mentioned above was recommended by Travel and Leisure magazine and also a couple of other places I saw. It seems to work really well. The company suggests testing it once you get it by putting a piece of a dry paper towel or tissue inside, then submerging it in your bathtub or a sink to make sure that there's no moisture. I'm planning on ordering it for my upcoming trip to Iceland and Norway. I especially like that it will float if you accidentally drop it in the water.

Besides CaseMate, you can also find it on Amazon. Just make sure that you know the dimensions of your phone so that it will fit. It comes in a Large, which fits most phones in a thin case or without a case, but I guess the XL is if you have one of the big OtterBox thick cases, or possibly the new iPhone 17 Pro Max. https://www.amazon.com/Case-Mate-Pelican-Waterproof-Universal-Compatibility/dp/B08GHKMR82

One more thing …
The case I have has an enclosure similar to the one Paul identified. The main difference is that it has a belt so you can wear it around your waist.

I have this but have not tried it out yet: https://booe.com.

I've got one like Paul's. Ive used it on beaches from Australia to Albania and in rivers from California to Montenegro. Works well for me.

https://www.amazon.com/Crenova-Waterproof-Accessories-Snorkeling-Valuables/dp/B0BNGXNW6L/ref=sr_1_16?crid=39BGVNPKCLZAE&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.9S7c9aGi8kl_OncpuCKxtHrl43DWTAzJ5GlSTUvf5hcjjCrrPMZvpr6h-gqEBz3GdPccdbFxFMwi1VsfZsKXxGfSawpfsxAcRp7JpGVVT3mukbein24JAbwqn8gaPAJ1FfT4jJfFVPrqjJ_Q53w9HMHlRzneblbF65nGmLATsx7jJtjqbehtRm-B3L7eeEMIiqqwUbGcqb5nncPRQ_lB6X0ltqz3ZVsaoB8aYKQjMumPyD7c_3Fd3Yo_v9ARFSwQWAX2vxap8-EiS6pzbzLjD7Yjaa9d8CoUKfW7tfiWYcE.UygmDhwpgLRc6C3lLtcP8tbwhmkU_U3_s6XOIaVaQ7g&dib_tag=se&keywords=waterproof%2Bfanny%2Bpack&qid=1780693310&sprefix=%2Caps%2C126&sr=8-16&th=1

I bought a 2-pack similar to this (search for waterproof fanny pack). I got the cheapo ones which roll down 3 times then velcro shut, plus I still put my phone, passport, medical insurance card and credit card in a quart ziploc bag inside. I also folded over the sealed end of the quart ziploc bag for overkill in water protection. I only swam at the surface but at a pretty wavy beach. I also did the tissue paper test with my pack at my local pool before taking it on vacation. Beach and pool time each about 1 hour; everything stayed dry! I got one pink (see through) but used a black pack (nobody can see what's inside). Have fun!

Canoed heavy white water for 40 + yrs. Multiple zip lock type closures are needed to be water tight. Even then, it's a good idea to "double bag" with zip lock bags inside main bag. Those that simply roll down and are secured with velcro type closures are very iffy.

depends where you want to swim or float.

In Bern or Basel do as the locals do and use a Wickelfisch

https://en.wickelfisch.ch/.

Multiple zip lock type closures are needed to be water tight. Even then, it's a good idea to "double bag" with zip lock bags inside main bag.

The pouch I have has 3 ziploc type seals, then it all folds to a velcro. The phone sleeve only had one seal closure plus the plastic thingy to keep it tight, but didn't work for me. Maybe it was a cheaper brand than the one Paul shared.

I own the Pelican lanyard case mentioned here, and the plastic is definitely sturdier than other models I've seen. For serious swimming or boating I normally put the case and a few other valuables in an Exped dry bag backpack with chest and hip straps for both extra protection (and storage) and more comfort while moving, but I've gone in with it alone too and my phone stayed dry. I usually wear it under a rash vest to make swimming more ergonomic. Get the largest size if you have a big phone, as my Samsung Ultra is a tight fit with a ppassport.

At a pinch I've double-bagged my phone and passport and buried them under my towel, but this really only works at sandy beaches and should be done with extreme caution and care if you don't want to lose your items as opposed to having them stolen.

Oh, and I have a towel with a hidden zip pocket that I like - limited security but handy for situations when it will be staying in your line of sight (and towels get stolen less frequently than bags, in my experience).

Growing up in a country with plastic banknotes (i.e. waterproof), I always kept an emergency fifty dollar note in the velcro pocket of my board shorts for emergencies - I've since created a similar effect with cling wrap.

I like the look of the hip bag linked above too - will investigate further! (I swim on every possible occasion - my swimming gear is first into my suitcase unless it's a city / museum trip November-March and even then...)

Victoria,

I bought a Dry Bag recently and the instructions that came with it indicated that it was not suitable for full immersion, so I wouldn't trust my phone there while swimming. This article explains the different ratings - https://drenchbrand.com/waterproof-fanny-pack-for-swimming/ . Having a bag that will float is a good feature to look for, and also one with a clear touch screen compatible case so that you can send quick messages without removing the phone from the case.

We too have the Pelican case that Mardee provided the link to. I had been using a cheapie from Amazon that worked well, but I feel much more secure with this one. We take it into the lagoons in Iceland and have not had any issues with it, and it is easy to use.